Mower



Feb. 2, 1943 L. 1.. EDWARDS MOWER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan: 25, 1942 F: O 0 LJ Inventor Feb. 2, 1943 4 L. L. EDWARDS 2,309,635

MOWER Filed Jan. 25, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventar .ZAWAf/VCE Z. flow/mos,

1943 L. L. EDWARDS 2,309,635.

MOWER Filed Jan. 23., 1942 4' Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor w ZAWRENCA Z. EDWARDS,

Patented Feb. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,309,635 MOWER Lawrence L. Edwards, Cleveland, Ohio Application January 23, 1942, Serial No. 427,997

2 Claims. ((31. 56-249) This invention relates to new and useful im- I provements in cutting apparatus, and more particularly to a mower which can be used for mowing grass and trimming the sides of hedges and the like.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a cutting machine of the character stated which can be readily adjusted from a horizontal position to a vertical position for cutting the sides of hedges and the like.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a mowing machine wherein the cutting unit can be adjusted to any desired inclination for either cutting gulleys or ridges.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a mower provided with a cutter unit which will cut to a width greater than the width of the wheeled carrier thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the mower, the cutting unit being also shown in broken lines to illustrate how it can be used at the side of the wheeled carrier.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the machine.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a section on line 8-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view showing an axle-type drive.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figure 1 that numeral 5 generally refers to a wheeled carrier while numeral 6 generally refers 13 on the As is clearly shown in Figure l, a flexible con-r I the opening [0 and in mesh with the axle gear l3. The other end of the shaft l5 extends to driving connection with the cutter unit 6.

Obviously, the wheeled carrier 5 has a suitable hand bar I'I extending therefrom and connected to said carrier by a strap l8.

Now, referring to the cutter unit 6, it can be seen that this unit embraces a pair of annular members I8, l9 in which discs 20 and 2|, respectively, are rotatable.

Lugs are provided on the opposed faces of the annular members l8, IS, the same being denoted by numeral 22 and extending between the annular members l8, l9 and connected to the lugs 22 are cutter blades 23 which are twisted with lugs 22 and spirally fashioned blades 24- extend between the disc members 2| and are connected to the lugs 22* at their ends, as in the manner substantially shown in Figure 5.

The blades 23 and 24 turn in opposite directions thus affording a' shearing action. This will be described further hereinafter.

The means for supporting the cutter reel just described embodies a U-shapedframe 25, the leg portions of which are bent laterally, as at 26, one portion 26 having an arm 21 terminating in a bearing 28 for receiving a trunnion 29 projecting from the outside of the disc 20. A caster wheel 30 is located on the portion 26 adjacent the arm 21.

The other portion 26 of-the frame 25 terminates in a bearing 3| from which forwardly projects a yoke 32 terminating at its forward end in a bearing 33.

Numeral 34 denotes a hollow cylindrical head having bored trunnions 35, 36 protruding therefrom and through the bearings 3|, 33, respectively. Extending diametrically through the head 3 and through the trunnions 35, 35 is a shaft 31 having a beveled pinion 38 meshing with a beveled gear 39 which carries the disc 2| (see Fig. 5). Also carrying the disc 2|, as seen in Figure 5, is a gear 40 which meshes with a pin= ion 4|, the latter in turn meshing with a ring gear 42 formed on the annular member I9 (see Fig. 5).

Obviously, as the shaft 31 is operated by the flexible shaft I 5 to which it is attached, the blades '23 and 2! will be rotated in'oppositdirections affording a shearing action.

Means for holding the reel in cutting position regardless of the degree of inclination to be cut,

is represented at the two bearings II. 83 (see Figs. 3 and 'I).

The other ends of the bearings ii, a are formed with teeth 44 with which teeth on adiacent clutch members I! are meshable. Circumscribing the trunnions 35, 38 are compression springs 46, these being interposed between the corresponding bearings and the clutch plates 45 so as to hold the clutch plates 45 spaced from the adjacent bearings and the teeth thereon when the nuts 41 on the threaded outer ends of the trunnions 35, 36 are loosened.

Obviously, when the clutch plates 45 are loosened as a result of unscrewing the nuts 41, the cutting reel can be swung to any inclination desired, as represented in Figures 1, 2 and 4, and subsequently secured in this position for operation.

In Figure 7 a slightly modified form ofthe invention is shown wherein an axle 9 of the wheeled carrier has a gear 50 driving a pinion which in turn operates a flexible shaft trained through a flexible conduit 52, one end of which the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a mowing machine, a wheel supported carriage, an axle rotatable with said wheels. 1 forwardly, extending trams on said carriage including a side arm, a forwardly extending side yoke on said arm, an annular casing plvotally mounted in said yoke for swinging about a horizontal axis parallel with the path of travel of the machine, a mower reel mounted at one end on said casing for vertical swinging adjustment thereby about said axis into difierent set positions, and means to drive said reel in any adjusted position thereof comprising gearing in said casing, and operating connections between said axle and gearing.

2. In a mowing machine, a wheel suppo ted carriage, an axle rotatable with said wheels, a

forwardly extending frame on said carriage including a side arm, a forwardly extending side yoke on said arm, an annular casing pivotally mounted in said yoke for swinging about a horizontal axis parallel with the path of travel of the machine, a mower reel mounted at one end on said casing for vertical swinging adjustment 

